Trump Switched Aircraft After Israeli Intelligence Warned Of Iran Plot To Assassinate Him

U.S. President Donald Trump switched aircraft after U.S. officials received Israeli intelligence about a possible plot to assassinate him, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials.

“The Israeli intelligence shared with the Trump administration of Iranian threats to assassinate President Donald Trump reflected a desire among elements of Tehran’s hardline leadership to target the American leader, according to an Israeli source and a US official, rather than a specific, detailed plan to carry out such an operation”

CNN

The reports said the Secret Service, the White House Military Office and some national security officials determined Trump’s preferred aircraft did not offer sufficient protection for the flight back to the United States, after the intelligence was combined with Trump’s proximity to Iran as fighting resumed.

CNN

Trump denied Wednesday that a security consideration had prompted the decision to switch planes, insisting the new Qatar-donated aircraft was flown to Britain so U.S. troops stationed there could see it.

The Hill reported that Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists.”

The Hill also said Trump suggested he was Iran’s “No. 1 target” after he called off the interim ceasefire agreement between the two countries following an exchange of overnight retaliatory strikes.

CNN reported that the Israeli intelligence shared with the Trump administration reflected a desire among elements of Tehran’s hardline leadership to target the American leader, rather than a specific, detailed plan to carry out such an operation.

CNN also reported that two US sources said recent US intelligence assessments showed no indication of a new, specific Iranian plot to kill Trump, but rather a steady drumbeat of chatter about various Iranian actors wanting to do so.

Euronews

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) told CNN’s “The Source” that “it’s very hard to tell,” while arguing that Israel could have an interest in “buck[ing] up Trump” toward a tougher stance on Iran.

Smith said, “So, it’s hard to know, it’s hard to know exactly what that intel is,” as he pointed to the breakdown of the ceasefire and the lack of a plan “going forward, for how to achieve our objectives.”

The Times of Israel reported that two US officials told Channel 12 news that the information related to general dialogue between Iranian officials on potentially assassinating the US president, rather than a specific plot.

After the Israeli intelligence warning, Trump threatened Iran with overwhelming military retaliation, posting on Truth Social that “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded” against Iran and warning that any attempt to target him would trigger a devastating US response.

“Iran had 'specific' plan to kill Trump, US media report citing Israeli intel Iran planned to kill US President Donald Trump in a fresh plot unveiled by Israel, several US media outlets report”

France 24

The Middle East Eye reported that Trump added “Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran - PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!”

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the US over its failure to uphold the interim agreement, writing on X that “Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called US Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU,” and warning that “there can only be mutual compliance”.

The Hill said mourners during the funeral processions for slain Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chanted “Death to America,” and that a banner was displayed on the streets reading, “We Will Kill Trump.”

The Times of Israel reported that the White House signaled it was still committed to the memorandum of understanding with Iran, even after Trump declared earlier this week that the framework deal to end the Iran war was “over” after strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.